Kimi has been a real trouper when it comes to the truck ride. Being such a young thing still, she sleeps a lot in the truck, but when she is awake she finds things to do to amuse herself. Her favorite spot so far seems to be on the green pillow covering either my lap, Jeff's or daddies.

There she eats, there she sleeps, there she plays, and there she stands guard over her family and truck. Kimi will sit as close to the window as she can where she keeps a vigilante watch over the cars and trucks we pass. Fools are those who dare to pass to close!! Kimi will order them back with a sharp "YIP!" Of course she doesn't realize they only look like they are going "back" when we pass them by!

So far she has seen deer, cows, birds, sheep, buffalo and even several antelope. Yet she remains disinterested. The one thing beyond the cars and big trucks we pass (of which she shows NO fear) that has grabbed her attention has been the wide open, never ending grassy plains between Nebraska and Wyoming. But then she has always loved to run, romp, and roll in the grass.

She has also figured out two things while on mommies lap. Number one: mommy often wears her hair in a braid, so if Kimi wants her attention all she has to do is give it a yank. Sort of like the bell-rope to pull on. Kimi has also figured out that her braid is a toy that is always handy to chew on! Number two: if she chews on the buttons to mommies blouse just right she can unbutton it. Imagine mommies surprise when she finds her blouse buttons undone! Usually in public too.

So now mommy has figured out some things too. Number one: always check your blouse buttons before leaving the truck, and Number two: find something else for Kimi to chew on!

Although this is only day two of our trip, Kimi has decided she likes these 'rest area' places her family keeps stopping at. They are full of the nicest people who often stop to talk to Kimi and play with her. Kimi has devised a perfect plan for those who seem just a little shy as well. Her love for all people says she must NOT go un-petted by anyone! If someone won't come to Kimi, Kimi goes to them. She does that proud little Sheltie-strut right up to them, looks up and with her adorable almond eyes staring at theirs, she says "YIP!" ie; PET ME! So far no one has been able to resist her and it has even earned her a belly rub or two. ( smart girl isn't she??)

So far she has been petted, played with, talked too, laughed at, photographed, videod and kissed. Being the Sheltie that she is, Kimi has accepted it all with good grace and wonderful manners, and has won the hearts of many people. Young and old, boy or girl, her laughing sheltie stance and smiling face has enticed the hardest of hearts to soften like ice cream on a warm summer day. Soon they are dripping their sweet affection on Kimi, and she has been lapping it up!

Kimi has met several fur-friends on her trip. The first was a brown Pug named Pugsley. Pugsley thought she could intimidate Kimi by barking at her. No go Joe!! Kimi just sat there, folded ears perked and politely waited for her to stop the noise making, while idly nibbling on the gently swaying 'amber waves of grain'. When Pugsley would stop barking. Kimi would get her two cents in every time. Whenever Pugsley turned to walk away, Kimi would sharply "YIP!" at her, making Pugsley turn back quickly and bark some more. Kimi just sat there laughing, proving that Pugsley's bark was indeed worse than her bite, and that Kimi really knew how to yank her chain!!

The next fur-friend was a Chesapeke Bay named Buster. Buster was fast and loved to chase balls, which he was doing today here in Wyoming. At the rest area tucked away at the top of a rocky mountain where we had lunch, Buster was chasing ball after ball. He was having so much fun that Kimi wanted to join in. Mommy wouldn't let her join in the real game, so Kimi did the best she could by pretending to be there in the middle of the action. As Buster would rush past, Kimi would race down the sidewalk yapping happily, her eyes never leaving the game. When Buster joyfully bounced back to his 'dad' with the ball, Kimi hopped sideways back up the sidewalk, yipping with every bounce. Keeping up jump for jump with good old Buster, she showed to us all that imagination is the next best thing to being there.

The last fur friend was a young and immature, but beautiful golden lab who Kimi thought was endearingly obnoxious. She easily allowed mommy to lead her away from feet to big and clumsy for the sweet face they belonged to. Besides, this lab's daddy came out of the building about then and gave Kimi a great big belly rub and told her she was beautiful.

All in all it has been a great start to out trip and Kimi is loving all the new adventures. We have driven over 1300 miles in two days, which has been enough to wear us all out. And so as Kimi and everyone else has already drifted off to sleep, I will close and leave you with this last thought.

Judge nothing and no one by their looks, least wise you may miss a beautiful sunset or a wonderful belly rub! Just as Kimi.

love to you all
walk in beauty
Kristi & Kimi